Garcinia Kola Research Articles

Neuroprotective Effect of Aqueous Extract of Garcinia kola on Monosodium Glutamate - Induced Cerebellar Cortical Damage in Adult Wistar Rats

Aims: This study assessed the neuroprotective effect of the aqueous extract of Garcinia kola on monosodium glutamateinduced toxicity in the cerebellar cortex of adult Wistar rats. Study Design: Twenty-five adult Wistar rats were randomly assigned into five groups (n=5): A, B, C, D, and E. Group A served as the control while the other groups served as the treated groups. Animals in group A were given feed and water liberally. Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out in the Animal Holdings of the Department of Anatomy, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Ogbomoso, Nigeria between September 2011 and December, 2011. Methodology: Animals in group B received 2.5 g/kg of monosodium glutamate orally for 14 days, Original Research Article Adeshina et al.; EJMP, 5(1): 13-22, 2015; Article no. EJMP.2015.002 14 group C received 200 mg/kg of Garcinia kola extract orally for 14 days, group D received 2.5 g/kg of monosodium glutamate and 200 mg/kg of Garcinia kola extract orally for 14 days and group E was pretreated with 200 mg/kg of Gracinia kola extracts orally for 14 days prior to the administration of 2.5 g/kg of monosodium glutamate for 14 days. The brain was excised and weighed before fixing in 10 % formal saline for histological processing. Results: The results reveal intact cerebellar neurons in group A, C and D. Group B reveals some cellular degeneration of cortical layers compared with other groups. Preservation of cerebellar tissue was observed in group B. Group E which was pretreated with Garcinia kola shows an appreciable preserved cerebellar tissue. Conclusion: This study concluded that Garcinia kola has protective effects on monosodium glutamate-induced cerebellar damage in adult Wistar rats.

Hepatoprotective Effects of Garcina kola (Bitter kola) against Paracetamol- Induced Oxidative Damage and Glycogen Degranulation in Hepatocytes of Adult Male Wistar Rats

Hepatoprotective Effects of Garcina kola (Bitter kola) against Paracetamol- Induced Oxidative Damage and Glycogen Degranulation in Hepatocytes of Adult Male Wistar Rats

Possible Mechanism of Antispasmodic Action of Garcinia kola Seed Extract on Isolated Guinea Pig Ileum

Possible Mechanism of Antispasmodic Action of Garcinia kola Seed Extract on Isolated Guinea Pig Ileum

Potentials of nutritional therapy, phytopharmaceuticals and phytomedicine in the prevention and control of Ebola virus in Africa

With more than 15000 people infected with Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) leading to more than 7000 deaths in Liberia, Serra Leone, Guinea, Nigeria and Senegal, Ebola Virus Disease remains one of the most dreaded scourges and concerns in contemporary international health (CIH). We note in this essay, that current intervention strategies for the containment of emerging infectious diseases such as Ebola may remain inadequate unless an integrated health intervention (IHI) strategy is adopted. Focus on vaccine development is, undoubtedly, critical but unlikely soon. Synthetic antiviral therapy (AVT) or antifiloviral therapy (AFT) such as using Zmapp, Favipiravir and Brincindofovir amongst others may remain therapeutically inadequate to contain not only Ebola but future scourges. For one fact, as already observed, Zmapp, TKM-Ebola and Favipiravir are hopeful but clouded with toxicity concerns and like any antibiotic of single molecular base likely to be resisted by the bug over time. In this article, our position is that, the medical approach to confront Ebola should be a multidisciplinary approach with equality. This will mean providing a medical care that protects health care workers, searching for an effective vaccine and antiviral therapy that is cost effective, weaving cultural, environmental and community based approaches to preventing the spread as well as fostering and incorporating nutritional therapy, traditional medicine as an integrative package for infectious diseases control. We attempted to highlight that african nutriceticals and phytomedicine could be useful in the control of infectious diseases such as Ebola through the use of medicinal plants such as Garcinia kola extracts and the exploitation of mushroom extracts such as Ganoderma lucidum containing selenium, Iron, zinc, 7-8% crude protein, 26-28% carbohydrates and a range of bioactive protein that can boost the immune system of patients with Ebola virus hemorrhagic fevers. Evidence in grey literature demonstrates profound antiviral activities from extracts of Garcinia kola on a range viruses including Ebola virus. Kolaviron, a class of flavonoids from garcinia kola, have been found with profound antiviral activity while compounds from cordycep mycelium such as beta glucans also reported in Ganoderma lucidum and some mushroom species have profound immune boosting potentials against many viral infections. A computerized data base for these compounds for drug development could be generated for use by pharmaceutical companies. It is concluded that, nutritional therapy, phytopharmaceuticals from medicinal plants, could be used not only as drug leads but could clinically complement current management of Ebola virus diseases in African hospitals.

Estimation of glucose level and body weight in Alloxan Induced Diabetic Rat treated with Aqueous extract of Garcinia Kola Seed

Aim: Hypoglyceamic effect of Garcinia kola (GK) was evaluated in alloxan induced diabetic rats. Method: Eighteen male wistar albino rats of weights between 158-172g were divided into three groups A- C. Group A was given distilled water (D/W) throughout the experiment; diabetes was induced in group B and C. Group B was given d/w but not GK while group C was treated with GK extract for 21 days. Fasting blood samples were collected at baseline, 24 hours, 7th, 14th and 21st day for blood glucose evaluation. Results: Mean fasting blood glucose (FBG) level was significantly higher (P<0.001) after 24 hours diabetes induction with alloxan in groups B and C rats compared to the baseline. Group B showed geometric increase in FBG level and decrease in body weight from 24 hours after diabetes induction to the 21st day of study duration. Group C rats had significantly lower (P<0.001) mean FBG level than Group B rats. Significant difference in body weight was observed among the 3 groups throughout the study periods but for baseline. Conclusion: Treatment of alloxan induced diabetic rats with GK extract lowers blood glucose level and restores weight loss.

Nutritional and Anti-Nutrient Composition of Three Kola Nuts (&amp;lt;i&amp;gt; Cola nitida, Cola acuminata &amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; and &amp;lt;i&amp;gt; Garcinia kola &amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;) Produced in Benin

Kola nuts were regularly chewed by West Africans and Beninese in particularly. The aim of this study was to investigate nutritional and anti-nutrient content of three Benin’s kola nuts (Cola nitida, Cola acuminata and Garcinia kola). Proximate composition of the three species of kola nuts was assessed using standard analytical AOAC methods. Phenolics and flavonoids contents were determined by Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum trichloride methods, respectively. Mineral composition was determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry method. Free and total amino acids were separated and quantified by HPLC. Protein content of the three kola nuts ranges from 4.95% (G. kola) to 10.64% (C. acuminata) whereas fat content ranges from 0.2 ± 0.00 (C. nitida) to 2.5 ± 0.42 (G. kola). Total phenolics abounded (2444.96 ± 81.56 μg Eq AG/100g) in C. acuminata, while flavonoids predominated (561.69 ± 22.10 μgEqQ/100g) in G. kola. The three species are a good source of magnesium and a copper provider was lowest in C. nitida (0.59 ± 0.08 mg/g) and in C. acuminata (0.65 ± 0.02 mg/g). The dominant total essential amino acids were threonine (C. acuminata) and methionine (C. acuminata and G. kola), while the predominant non-essential total amino acids according to species were arginine (C. nitida and G. kola), proline (C. acuminata) and cysteine (G. kola). For the anti-nutrients factors, saponins were in great proportion (8.33% ± 0.25%), while the oxalates were in small proportion (0.44% ± 0.04%). The three species have an interesting nutritional composition, but these seeds have the relatively lowest amino acids content.

Effect of Processing and Packaging Materials on the Storability and Microorganisms Associated with Garcinia kola (Bitter kola)

The study on the effect of processing and packaging materials on the storability of Garcinia kola, Heckel, harvested from a local farm at Ngokpola was carried out in the green house of Federal University of Technology Owerri. It was laid out in a two factor factorial using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 12 treatments and was replicated 5 times. The pods was processed by three different processing methods, which are , cut fresh pods immediately it was harvested, kept the pods outside on a shade and allowed to decay for one week and soaked the pods in water and allowed to ferment for 1 week. It was observed that the pods kept outside on the ground and those soaked in water was significantly different at 5% level of probability. The seeds extracted from the different processing methods was stored and packaged in polythene bag, dry plantain leaves and cocoyam leaves then control. It was found that polythene bag retained moisture than others. Alkaloid has high phyto-chemical content in the seeds that was processed by keeping the pods outside on a ground and allowed to decay and packaged in cocoyam leaves, which might be as a result of the processing method and packaging materials used. The seeds contain Saponin, Cyanide, Tannin and Ash which makes it to be an anti-oxidant and anti-nutrient. The pathogens isolated from the seeds are Aspergillus sp, Penicillum sp and Diplodia sp, affect stored seeds. The respondents from the 60 questionnaires administered to people in 3 different zones in Imo state, showed that 60% of the pods are harvested when fallen pods are picked, 30% harvest when someone climbed the tree and pluck it with hand, 10% when the fruits are plucked with sticks while the harvester is on the ground. 80% processed the fruits by keeping it outside on the ground and allowed to decay and 20% cut the fresh pods immediately it was harvested. Based on the findings, I recommend that farmers and marketers should engage in good processing method and packaging materials such as the ones used in this work for preservation.

Effect of Ethanol and Petroleum Ether Extracts of Some Medicinal Plants on Sclerotiumrolfsii, Causal Agent of Postharvest Rot of Yam (Dioscorea Spp.)

Ethanol and Petroleum ether of leaves of Azadirachtaindica A. Juss, Citrus aurantifolia (Christm.)Swingle, Jatrophacurcas L., Anacardiumoccidentale L., seeds of Garcinia kola Heckel and peels of Citrus sinensisOsbek were studied for in vitro activity against mycelial growth and sclerotium germination of Sclerotiumrolfsii, Sacc., the causal agent of postharvest yam rot. The phytochemical screening of the extracts of the medicinal plants revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, steroids, saponins, tannins and terpenoids. The ethanol and petroleum ether extracts showed varying levels of fungitoxicity activity with the ethanol extracts being more effective. Mycelial growth of S. rolfsii was significantly (P &lt; 0.05) reduced by ethanol extracts of C. sinesis (89.63 – 100%), C. aurantifolia (67.04 – 83.28%) and A. indica (53.70 – 69.38%) during the period of incubation. Sclerotium germination was also significantly (P &lt; 0.05) reduced by ethanol extracts of C. sinesis (87.50%), C. aurantifolia (62.50%) and A. indica (50%). This study showed the potentials of extracts of some plant products to control S. rolfsii in yam.

Phytochemical constituents and antioxidant activities of some plants commonly used in Indian traditional diet

Synergistic effect of menthol on in-vitro antibacterial activity of Garcinia kola against Gram positive Bacteria: A preliminary studyOlumide Adedokun Odeyemi, Solakunmi O. Oluwajoba

Economics of Rural Livelihoods: A Case Study of Bitter Kola Marketing in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

The study examined the economics of bitter kola marketing in rural areas of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. A sample size of 120 bitter kola marketers was selected for the study using a two-stage sampling procedure. Data obtained were analysed using descriptive statistics and budgeting technique. Findings reveal that 61.7% of the respondents were females with an average age of 37 years; 58.3% were married and 85% had formal education. The average household size of the respondents comprised of six persons and their average years of bitter kola marketing experience was also six years. Budgetary analysis indicated the bitter kola marketing in the study area is profitable with a marketing efficiency of 135.2%. Transportation costs, poor marketing channels, price fluctuation, perishability and seasonality of the product were the most severe constraints to bitter kola marketing faced by the respondents. -Findings recommend, among others, that the Government (State and Local Government) endeavour to provide basic infrastructure such as good road networks in the rural areas of the state since high cost of transportation was the most severe constraint to bitter kola marketing in the study area.

English

Aim: A mixture of honey and Garcinia kola has been used for the treatment of certain dry coughs and diseases. The effect of the recommended dosage of the mixture on the liver was investigated. Methods: Twenty five Wistar albino rats weighing between 170g and 190g were grouped into 5. There were 5 rats each group. The rats were fed twice daily at 8.00am and 6.00pm with a mixture of G. kola and honey 0.16g/kg + 0.5ml, 0.20g/kg + 0.5ml, 0.24g/kg + 0.5ml, 0.28g/kg + 0.5ml and normal feeds respectively for 14 days. The rats were sacrificed on the 15th day and blood and liver tissues were taken for biochemical analysis and histology respectively. Results: Aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase and total protein as well as the histology of the liver were not significantly different from the control animals. Conclusion: Oral intake of one nut G. kola along with 5 ml honey twice daily for 14 days does not have adverse effects on the liver of Wistar rats. Key words: Medicinal plant, Honey, Garcinia kola, Liver, Biochemistry

English

Aim: Honey and Garcinia kola have long been used separately by the traditional medical practitioners as remedies for cough and other ailments. Recently, a combination of both as a remedy for cough is common. This work was intended to see the effect of this synergy on the kidney. Methods: Twenty five Wistar albino rats weighing 180&plusmn;10g were grouped into 5 (A, B, C, D, E) of 5 rats each. They were fed twice daily for 14 days with a mixture of G. kola and honey: 0.16g/kg + 0.5ml, 0.20g/kg + 0.5ml, 0.24g/kg + 0.5ml, 0.28g/kg + 0.5ml and normal feeds respectively. The rats were sacrificed on the 15th day and blood and kidneys were taken for biochemistry and histology respectively. Results: Sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, urea, creatinine, as well as the histology of the kidney of the test rats were not significantly different from the control rats. Conclusion: Oral intake of one nut Garcinia kola along with about 5 ml honey&nbsp; twice daily for 14 days has no adverse effect on the kidney. Key words: Honey, Garcinia kola, Liver, Medicinal plant

Effect of dehusked Garcinia kola seeds on the overall pharmacokinetics of quinine in healthy Nigerian volunteers.

We investigated the effect of concurrent ingestion of Garcinia kola seed on the pharmacokinetics of quinine. In a randomized crossover study, 24 healthy Nigerian volunteers were assigned into 2 groups (A and B; n = 12 per group) on the basis of G. kola dose orally ingested. Each subject received 600 mg quinine sulfate before and after ingesting 12.5 g of G. kola once daily for 7 days (group A) or 12.5 g twice daily for 6 days and once on the seventh day (group B). Blood samples were collected and analyzed for plasma quinine and its metabolite (3-hydroxyquinine) using a validated high performance liquid chromatography method. Concurrent administration of quinine with G. kola reduced quinine tmax by 48% (group A), mean Cmax by 19% and 26% in groups A and B, respectively, and slight reduction in mean AUC0- ∞ of quinine in both groups. 3-hydroxyquinine Cmax also reduced by 29% and 32%; AUC0-∞ by 13% and 9%, respectively. The point estimates of the T/R ratio of the geometric means for all Cmax obtained and only the AUC0-∞ at a higher dose of G. kola were outside the 80%-125% bioequivalence range. In conclusion, an herb-drug interaction was noted with concurrent quinine and G. kola administration.

Therapeutic potential of Garcinia kola with reference to the restoration of inhibited acetylcholinesterase activities in induced Clarias gariepinus

This study was conducted to assess the antidotal prospect of Garcinia kola seeds extract in restoring the activity of inhibited Acetylcholinesterase. This was done by inducing Clarias gariepinus with the enzyme inhibitor (glyphosate pesticide formulation). The fish divided into six groups were exposed different treatments; the pesticide alone, the G. kola seed extract alone and different mixture of the pesticide and G. kola seeds extract. AChE activities in the brain, liver and serum of the fish were measured in the experimental and control fish on day −7, 14, 21 and 28th by the colorimetric method. The enzyme was significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited in the glyphosate formulation test alone and in group IV treatment (0.16 mg/L glyphosate formulation with 150 mg/L of extract). The inhibition percentages of AChE ranged for the brain, liver and serum between 40.7–59.4%, 50–57% and 27.5–51.3%, respectively. The AChE activities were however, recovered in G. kola seeds extract treated aquaria, and were dose, time dependent and organ specific. Modifications of this enzyme may leads to increased perspiration, increased salivation, tearing, blurred vision, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, and if severe enough, death from respiratory depression. This investigation had revealed the therapeutic significance of G. kola seeds extract, by stabilizing the enzyme activity in the investigated fish. Further investigation is required to measure the concentrations of acetylcholine at cholinergic synaptic junction in fish and mammals induced with ant-cholinesterase agent and the possibility of its restoration using G. kola seeds.

Bio activity of some botanicals on Helminthosporium infestans L. and Solanum aethiopicum L. (host)

Some botanicals were assayed in two laboratory trials for their relative toxicities to African eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum L.) and Helminthosporium infestans causing leaf spots disease at the Department of Crop Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. In the first experiment on the toxicity of the protectants to S. aethiopicum, three concentrations (10, 20 and 30 g/ml) were used. Four concentrations (0.03, 0.06, 0.12 and 0.25 g/ml) were used in the second experiment on the toxicity of the botanicals (Azadirachta indica leaves, Gongronema latifolia leaves, Garcinia kola seeds, Zingiber officinale stems and Carica papaya leaves) to H. Infestans. Distilled water served as control in each case. Solanum seeds dressed with G. kola germinated faster and attained 100% germination 14 days after incubation (DAI). On the other hand, Z. officinale inhibited the seed germination most, resulting in the least germination being recorded on seeds treated with Z. officinale. Similarly, all the plant extracts assayed inhibited the growth of H. Infestans to varying degrees relative to check at 3 days after inoculation. Anti-fungal activity of extracts on H. Infestans decreased in the following order: G. kola at 0.12 g/ml (90.00%) > C. papaya at 0.25 g/ml (59.54%) > G. kola at 0.06 g/ml (59.15%) > G. kola at 0.03 g/ml (55.15%) > A. Indica at 0.06 g/ml (53.67%) > Z. officinale at 0.03 g/ml (52.65%) > control (7.71%). The seeds extracts of G. kola at 0.12 g/ml therefore proved more effective in the suppression of H. infestans relative to other botanicals and concentrations and were be recommended as a good alternative in its control in the field. Key word: African eggplant anti-fungal, inhibition, protectants, toxicity.

Anticonceptive, estrogenic and antiestrogenic potentials of methanol extract of Garcinia kola seed in rodents

The anticonceptive, estrogenic and antiestrogenic potential of methanolic extract of Garcinia kola seed in rodents was investigated. The anti-conceptive effect of extract showed that the extract dose-dependently protected female mice and rats from conception for two to three gestational periods. Changes observed in the length and weights of pups were not statistically significant relative to control. There were no abnormalities observed in the pups over thirty days. In ovariectomized immature rats treated with extract (100 to 300 mg/kg), there was a significant increase in uterine wet weight. The extract also induced uterotrophic effects, namely, immature vaginal opening and cornification, when comparedwith control. These findings agree with the traditional use of G. kola seed in control of fertility. The contraceptive property of the extract may be associated with the direct effects of its chemical constituents. Key words: Garcinia kola, anti-conceptive potential, estrogenic.

Kolaviron, a biflavonoid complex of Garcinia kola seeds modulates apoptosis by suppressing oxidative stress and inflammation in diabetes-induced nephrotoxic rats

Diabetic nephropathy is a complex disease that involves increased production of free radicals which is a strong stimulus for the release of pro-inflammatory factors. We evaluated the renal protective effect of kolaviron (KV) – a Garcinia kola seed extract containing a mixture of 5 flavonoids, in diabetes-induced nephrotoxic rats. Male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: untreated controls (C); normal rats treated with kolaviron (C+KV); untreated diabetic rats (D); kolaviron treated diabetic rats (D+KV). A single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 50mg/kg) was used for the induction of diabetes. Renal function parameters were estimated in a clinical chemistry analyzer. Markers of oxidative stress in the kidney homogenate were analyzed in a Multiskan Spectrum plate reader and Bio-plex Promagnetic bead-based assays was used for the analysis of inflammatory markers. The effect of kolaviron on diabetes-induced apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL assay. In the diabetic rats, alterations in antioxidant defenses such as an increase in lipid peroxidation, glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity and a decrease in catalase (CAT) activity, glutathione (GSH) levels and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) were observed. There was no difference in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Diabetes induction increased apoptotic cell death and the levels of interleukin (IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α with no effect on IL-10. Kolaviron treatment of diabetic rats restored the activities of antioxidant enzymes, reduced lipid peroxidation and increased ORAC and GSH concentration in renal tissues. Kolaviron treatment of diabetic rats also suppressed renal IL-1β. The beneficial effects of kolaviron on diabetes-induced kidney injury may be due to its inhibitory action on oxidative stress, IL-1β production and apoptosis.

3-methoxy quercetin isolated from mistletoe parasitic on Garcinia kola exhibits potent anti-inflammatory activities in vitro

3-methoxy quercetin isolated from mistletoe parasitic on Garcinia kola exhibits potent anti-inflammatory activities in vitro

English

Hepatoprotective effect of Garcinia kola seed extract on oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity biomarkers of rats exposed to antitubercular drugs was investigated to evaluate its potential to ameliorate drug-induced hepatotoxicity. Six groups of five animals each were used. Combination of Isoniazid (7.5 mg/kg bodyweight) and Rifampicin (10 mg/kg bodyweight) was administered intraperitoneally to a group. Drug combination was co-administered with G. kola seed extracts (40, 60 and 80 mg/kg bodyweight) to three other groups for 35 days. Control group received saline and the last group received G. kola alone (60 mk/kg bodyweight). Plasma oxidative stress biomarkers (superoxide dismutase, glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, catalase and malondialdehyde) and hepatotoxicity biomarkers (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase) were assayed after treatment. The antitubercular drugs significantly increased levels of hepatotoxicity biomarkers. The increase was mitigated by treatment with G. kola, with reduction in levels of the hepatotoxicity biomarkers upon G. kola co-administration. Similarly, the antitubercular drugs reduced the activities of oxidative stress biomarkers. Histomorphological analysis of the liver showed that the G. kola extract administered at 60 mg/kg offered significant protection from exposure to the hepatotoxic drugs. The study concluded that G. kola extract at 60 mg/kg significantly protected the animals from the damages occasioned by exposure to hepatotoxic antitubercular drugs. &nbsp; Key words: Isoniazid, rifampicin, tuberculosis, hepatotoxicity, hepatoprotection, histomorphology.

P81 - Regulation of inflammatory pathways by an a-tocopherol long-chain metabolite and a d-tocotrienol-related natural compound.

Vitamin E is the most important lipid antioxidant which is widely used to prevent age-associated diseases. In the liver a-tocopherol (a-TOH), the most active isomer, is metabolized by side-chain truncation. Hydroxylation and oxidation steps in peroxisomes form the long-chain metabolite (LCM) a-13’-COOH, which has been recently reported by our group to occur in human serum.Only little is known about the modes of action of the LCM. We therefore investigate the influence of the physiologically relevant a-13’-COOH and the tocotrienol (T3)-related garcinoic acid (GA) on LPS-induced inflammatory response of murine macrophages (mMF).We report here that a-13’-COOH occurs in human serum and can be detected by LC/MS-QTOF which provides evidence for its systemic bioavailability. Translating these results into mechanistic studies we use semi-synthetically derived LCM starting with garcinoic acid, isolated from the bitternut Garcinia kola, because LCMs are not commercially available as pure compounds.We also report that a-13’-COOH and GA inhibit pro-inflammatory pathways in comparison to a-TOH in LPS-stimulated mMF. A screening of inflammation-related genes showed significant decreases of Il1ß by all compounds, while Il6 and Tnfa were only down-regulated by GA. However Cox2 and iNos were significantly reduced on mRNA and protein level by more than 70% and also the formation of signaling molecules, such as NO and PGE2, was significantly reduced by a-13’-COOH and GA. Key role in regulation of inflammatory response is regulated by activation of NF?B along with p65 subunit translocation. Neither expression nor translocation were regulated by a-13’-COOH and GA.The LCM and d-T3 show high activity in inhibiting pro-inflammatory pathways and associated signal transduction. We speculate that physiological a-LCM represent a new class of regulatory metabolites.